In the Vatican, the election of a new pope has commenced, following the recent passing of Pope Francis. A total of 133 cardinals from around the globe have gathered in the Sistine Chapel, isolated from the outside world, to deliberate on the successor of the beloved pontiff. The first round of voting is scheduled for this afternoon, although a decision is not anticipated immediately. To become the 267th pope in the history of the Catholic Church, a two-thirds majority is required, which translates to at least 89 votes among the 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide. Currently, Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin is seen as the frontrunner according to various media and betting agencies. The 70-year-old Parolin, who is also the highest-ranking cardinal, will preside over the conclave. Prior to the conclave, the cardinals will participate in a significant mass at St. Peter's Basilica, which will also include cardinals aged 80 and above. Following the mass, the 133 voting cardinals will meet privately. After a lunch break, they will reconvene in the Sistine Chapel, one of the most beautiful venues in the world for such a momentous occasion. Here, the cardinals will take an oath before God to maintain confidentiality and to adhere to a strict prohibition against outside contact. All mobile phones and digital devices must be surrendered. The first voting round is expected to take place later in the afternoon, likely resulting in black smoke rising from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, indicating that no decision has been reached. The emergence of white smoke, signaling a successful election, will only occur if a candidate achieves the necessary two-thirds majority. Observers do not expect the election to be concluded quickly. When a new pope is elected, the announcement will be made from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica with the traditional proclamation, 'Habemus Papam' (We have a pope). The duration of this conclave remains uncertain, as previous conclaves since the 1960s have typically lasted only two to three days. However, some speculate that this election may take longer, with Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Müller suggesting he has prepared for a stay of five to six days, although he hopes it won't take that long. Representing Germany in the conclave are Cardinals Reinhard Marx from Munich and Rainer Maria Woelki from Cologne. The likelihood of electing a German pope, 20 years after the election of Benedict XVI, is considered low. Nevertheless, Marx is often regarded in the Italian press as a potential 'kingmaker,' capable of swaying the conclave towards a specific candidate. The list of potential successors to Pope Francis has been expanding, with notable candidates including two additional Italians: Archbishop Matteo Zuppi of Bologna and Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa of Jerusalem. Other prominent figures in the running include Luis Antonio Tagle from the Philippines, Jean-Marc Aveline from France, José Tolentino de Mendonça from Portugal, Peter Erdö from Hungary, and Jean-Claude Hollerich from Luxembourg, among others. If consensus is not reached in the first round of voting, further rounds will take place, with two votes held in the morning and two in the afternoon until a conclusion is achieved. Many experts believe that the election could be finalized within the week. Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who later took the papal name Francis, was elected in 2013 after just a day and a half and five voting rounds. He led the Catholic Church until his death on Easter Monday at the age of 88. According to Catholic doctrine, the pope is regarded as the successor of the Apostle Peter and the representative of Jesus Christ on Earth. He serves as the Bishop of Rome, the Primate of Italy, and the head of state of the Vatican City. While the papacy does not wield significant worldly power, the pope is viewed as a moral authority by millions around the globe. Throughout his tenure, Pope Francis addressed numerous contemporary issues and did not shy away from criticizing powerful figures. Unlike many of his predecessors, he opted for a simpler lifestyle, foregoing many privileges and symbols of status. His final resting place is in the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore, near Rome's main train station, which he considered his favorite church in the city.